U.S. patent application number 16/762526 was filed with the patent office on 2020-09-03 for saddle pipe support.
The applicant listed for this patent is HYDRA-ZORB CO.. Invention is credited to Robert Dodge, Mark Schwager.
Application Number | 20200278050 16/762526 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004854184 |
Filed Date | 2020-09-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200278050 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dodge; Robert ; et
al. |
September 3, 2020 |
SADDLE PIPE SUPPORT
Abstract
A pipe support is coupled to an elongated channel for receiving
and supporting a pipe. The channel includes a base and a pair of
spaced apart sidewalls extending from the base to a bottom plate. A
flange projects downwardly from each top plate towards the base and
defines a slot therebetween. The pipe support includes a body
portion extending axially between opposite ends and having an inner
surface and an outer surface. The body portion includes a generally
arcuate bottom floor and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls
projecting generally upwardly from the bottom floor. A pair of
axially spaced apart channel locks projects downwardly from the
outer surface of the body portion adjacent each of the spaced apart
sidewalls of the channel. A retainer strap selectively connects to
and between the channel locks for coupling the pipe support to the
channel.
Inventors: |
Dodge; Robert; (Birmingham,
MI) ; Schwager; Mark; (Washington Twp., MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HYDRA-ZORB CO. |
Auburn Hills |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004854184 |
Appl. No.: |
16/762526 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
November 9, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2018/059932 |
371 Date: |
May 8, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62583764 |
Nov 9, 2017 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 59/135 20130101;
F16L 3/1226 20130101; F16B 2/08 20130101; F16L 3/02 20130101; F16L
3/245 20190801; F16L 3/1218 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16L 3/02 20060101
F16L003/02; F16B 2/08 20060101 F16B002/08; F16L 3/24 20060101
F16L003/24; F16L 59/135 20060101 F16L059/135; F16L 3/12 20060101
F16L003/12 |
Claims
1. A pipe support adapted for receiving and supporting a pipe, said
pipe support comprising: a body portion extending axially between
opposite ends and having an inner surface and an outer surface,
said body portion including a generally arcuate bottom floor and a
pair of spaced apart sidewalls projecting generally upwardly from
said bottom floor; a pair of axially spaced apart channel locks
projecting downwardly from said outer surface of said body portion;
and a retainer strap selectively connected to and between said
channel locks for operatively coupling said pipe support to a
support structure.
2. The pipe support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said channel
locks include a leg portion projecting from said outer surface of
said body portion to a distal end.
3. The pipe support as set forth in claim 2 wherein said channel
locks further include a socket portion projecting outwardly from
said distal end of leg portion defining a socket opening.
4. The pipe support as set forth in claim 3 wherein said retainer
strap includes an elongated strap portion extending between
opposing ends, a pair of spaced apart legs projecting from each of
said opposing ends of said strap portion, and an elongated
cylindrical rod extending between said spaced apart legs wherein
each of said rods are selectively engagable with said respective
socket portions of said channel locks for operatively coupling said
pipe support to the support structure.
5. The pipe support as set forth in claim 4 further including a
plurality of axial spaced apart structural ribs formed on said
outer surface of said body portion along said bottom floor and said
sidewalls.
6. In combination, a pipe support adapted to be operatively coupled
to an elongated channel for receiving and supporting a pipe,
wherein said channel includes a top base and a pair of spaced apart
sidewalls extending from said top base to a bottom plate, wherein a
flange projects upwardly from each bottom plate towards said top
base and defines a slot therebetween; and said pipe support
includes a body portion extending axially between opposite ends and
having an inner surface and an outer surface, said body portion
including a generally arcuate bottom floor and a pair of spaced
apart sidewalls projecting generally upwardly from said bottom
floor; a pair of axially spaced apart channel locks projecting
downwardly from said outer surface of said body portion adjacent
each of said spaced apart sidewalls of said channel; and a retainer
strap selectively connected to and between said channel locks for
operatively coupling said pipe support to said channel.
6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said channel
locks include a leg portion projecting from said outer surface of
said body portion to a distal end adjacent said bottom plate of
said channel.
7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said channel
locks further include a socket portion projecting outwardly from
said distal end of leg portion defining a socket opening.
8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said retainer
strap includes an elongated strap portion extending between
opposing ends, a pair of spaced apart legs projecting from each of
said opposing ends of said strap portion, and an elongated
cylindrical rod extending between said spaced apart legs wherein
each of said rods are selectively engagable with said respective
socket portions of said channel locks for operatively coupling said
pipe support to said channel.
9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said retainer
strap extends below said bottom plates of said channel between said
spaced apart channel locks and said legs of said retainer strap
abut said lateral ends of said socket portion to prevent lateral
movement therebetween.
10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said pipe
support further includes a plurality of axial spaced apart
structural ribs formed on said outer surface of said body portion
along said bottom floor and said sidewalls.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and all the benefits of
United States Provisional Application No. 62/583,764, filed on Nov.
9, 2017.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a pipe support. More
particularly, the invention relates to a saddle pipe support
adapted for connection to a channel for receiving and supporting a
pipe.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] Conventional pipes are used to convey or transfer fluids in
various commercial and industrial applications and buildings, such
as water and sprinkler systems, refrigeration systems, and
heating/cooling systems. The pipes are commonly encased in a
cellular foam insulation tubing, which maintains the fluid within
the pipes at a desired temperature. The pipe insulation tubing is
commonly provided in predetermined lengths that are aligned
end-to-end to cover an entire length of pipe.
[0004] In a typical application and installation, the insulated
pipe, that is, the pipe encased by the insulation tubing, is
disposed along a support structure, such as a ceiling of the
building. The insulated pipe is commonly supported along the
support structure by a plurality of spaced apart clevis hangers or
straps. An elongated metal U-shaped channel is typically fixedly
secured to the support structure or ceiling for supporting the
clevis hangers. The clevis hanger typically includes an upper
member mounted to the channel and a generally U-shaped lower member
coupled to the upper member for supporting the insulated pipe
spaced below the channel. The shape of the lower member complements
that of the outer periphery of the insulated pipe, thereby allowing
the clevis hanger to support and retain the insulated pipe along
the channel. Examples of common clevis hangers for supporting
insulated pipes are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,207,527 and
7,520,475.
[0005] It is also known to provide a saddle shaped pipe support
adapted to be connected to the U-shaped channel and shaped
complementary to the insulated pipe to support a longitudinal
length of the insulated pipe. The saddle pipe support includes a
body portion having a curved bottom and arcuate upwardly extending
walls for receiving and supporting the insulated pipe. A pair of
spaced apart members having inwardly extending hooks or barbs
extend downwardly from the body portion for receiving the outer
walls of the channel therebetween to secure the saddle pipe support
to the channel. A saddle pipe support known in the prior art is
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,074,943.
[0006] However, it remains desirable to provide a more secure and
stable connection between the saddle pipe support and the channel
for supporting the insulated pipe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A pipe support is provided for receiving and supporting a
pipe. The pipe support comprises a body portion extending axially
between opposite ends and having an inner surface and an outer
surface. The body portion includes a generally arcuate bottom floor
and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls projecting generally upwardly
from the bottom floor. A pair of axially spaced apart channel locks
project downwardly from the outer surface of the body portion and a
retainer strap selectively connects to and between the channel
locks for operatively coupling the pipe support to a support
structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the saddle pipe support
according to one embodiment of the invention for supporting an
insulated pipe;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an end view of the saddle pipe support;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the saddle pipe support connected
to a U-shaped channel for supporting an insulated pipe;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the saddle pipe support; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a saddle
pipe support 10, preferably fabricated by molded plastic is shown
in FIGS. 1-5, for supporting an elongated pipe 15. The pipe 15 is
generally a fluid pipe used in commercial or industrial buildings
for transferring fluid in water, refrigeration, or heating/cooling
systems. Further, the pipe 15 is typically encased in a cellular
foam insulation tubing for maintaining the temperature of the fluid
in the pipe 15, collectively referred to herein as an insulated
pipe 15.
[0015] The saddle pipe support 10 is adapted to be removeably
coupled to a support structure commonly known as an elongated metal
U-shaped channel 24 which is typically fixedly secured to a wall or
ceiling of the building. The channel 24, which is commonly known in
the art, includes a flat top base 42 extending between a pair of
spaced apart upright sidewalls 44. A bottom plate 46 projects
inwardly from each of the respective sidewalls 44 and is generally
parallel to the top base 42. Each bottom plate 46 terminates with
an upwardly turned flange 48 projecting toward but spaced from the
top base 42. An elongated slot 50 is defined between the spaced
apart and opposite facing flanges 48.
[0016] The pipe support 10 includes an elongated semi-cylindrical
or generally U-shaped body portion 12 having an inner support
surface 14 for supporting the insulated pipe 15 and an outer
surface 16 reinforced by a plurality of transverse structural ribs
18. More specifically, the body portion 12 includes an arcuate
bottom floor 52 and a pair of spaced apart upwardly or vertically
extending sidewalls 54, 56. The body portion 12 extends axially, or
longitudinally, between opposite ends and may terminate with
downwardly curved or tapered lips projecting from the bottom floor
20. The structural ribs 18 are spaced apart transverse to the axial
length of the body portion 12 and extend around the outer surface
16 of the bottom floor 20 and each sidewall 22, 24 to provide
structural rigidity and strength to the pipe support 10.
[0017] A pair of spaced apart channel locks 20, 22 project
downwardly from the outer surface 16 of the body portion 12 for
connection to the elongated channel 24, as shown in FIG. 3. More
specifically, each channel lock 20, 22 includes a vertical leg
portion 25 extending downwardly from the body portion 12 to an
elongated socket portion 26 projecting outwardly from the distal
end of each leg portion 25 and between lateral socket ends to
lockingly secure the saddle pipe support to the channel 24.
[0018] Finally, the saddle pipe support 10 further includes a
retainer strap 28 for selectively engaging with and between the
channel locks 20, 22 around the bottom plates 46 of the channel 24
to lockingly secure the saddle pipe support 10 to the channel 24.
More specifically, the retainer strap 28 includes an elongated
strap portion 30, a pair of spaced apart legs 34 extending
outwardly and upwardly from each opposite end of the strap portion
30, and an elongated cylindrical rod 32 extending and supported
between the spaced apart legs 34 and sized to be locking received
and snapped into the respective elongated socket portions 26 of the
channel lock 20, 22. The legs 34 projecting from each end of the
strap portion 30 and supporting the rod 32 also provide a lateral
abutment of the retainer strap 28 when coupled between the channel
locks 20, 22.
[0019] In operation, the longitudinal axis of the saddle pipe
support 10 is arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis of the
channel 24 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The leg portions 25 of the
channel locks 20, 22 are positioned to straddle the opposite
sidewalls 44 of the channel 24 with the outwardly extending sockets
26 adjacent the bottom plates 46 of the channel 24. The retainer
strap 28 may be removably connected to the channel locks 20, 22 to
retain the saddle pipe support 10 to the channel 24. That is, the
rods 32 are sized to be snap fit into socket openings formed and
defined by the respective elongated sockets 26 to lock the channel
locks 20, 22, and thus the saddle pipe support 10, to the channel
24. The legs 34 define end walls to prevent the retainer strap 28
from sliding laterally out of the sockets 26.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, when the pipe support 10 is coupled to
the channel 24, the sidewalls 44 of the channel 24 are seated in
the space formed between the channel locks 20, 22. Once the saddle
pipe support 10 is coupled to the channel 24, a length of insulated
pipe 15 may be inserted between the sidewalls 54, 56 and supported
by the bottom floor 52 of the body portion 12. It should be
appreciated that the saddle pipe support 10 is configured to
receive and support a pipe 15 whether encased in the insulation
tubing or not.
[0021] If it desirable to disconnect the saddle pipe support 10
from the channel 24, the retainer strap 28 may be disconnected from
the channel locks 20, 22 by simply removing one or both of the rods
32 from snap fit engagement with the respective sockets 26 and
allowing the saddle pipe support 10 to be repositioned or removed
from the channel 24.
[0022] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner,
and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been
used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description
rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the
appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as
specifically described.
* * * * *